Wales fall to disappointing defeat in final game before Euro 2025

Wales fell to a highly disappointing 4-1 defeat to Italy in Swansea in their final game before Euro 2025.

Sensationally, all four of Italy’s goals came in the first half, and they call came from set pieces. Cristiana Girelli picked up two, while there was a goal each for Elena Linari and Sofia Cantore.

The hosts were better in the second half but struggled to create anything clear cut on goal. But Jess Fishlock scored a stunner from 35-yards to reduce the deficit, in what ultimately proved to be a worrying sendoff game.

Wales’ fate in Nations League A has already been decided, and as a result of finishing bottom of the group, they will be in League B for the next instalment of the competition.

Manager Rhian Wilkinson elected to make four changes from the side that were defeated by Denmark on Friday night. There were returns for Alice Griffiths, Rachel Rowe, Hannah Cain, and Carrie Jones, with Mayzee Davies, Ella Powell, Elise Hughes and Jess Fishlock dropping out.

For the visiting Italians, Ballon d’Or nominee Manuela Giugliano started in midfield alongside Bayern Munich’s Arianna Caruso, while Juventus star Cristiana Girelli captained the side.

Wales started brightly, but they conceded the first goal after just nine minutes. Olivia Clark failed to come out and claim a corner, and with the ball bobbling about in the box, defender Elena Linari volleyed into the far corner.

Ten minutes later, Wales had failed to learn from their mistakes, as Italy scored from another set piece. This time Giugliano pinged the ball into the path of Girelli, who made no mistake and flicked the ball past the Leicester keeper.

Confidence was beginning to flow within the Italians, and they could have added a third through Cantore, but her powerful strike was parried away by Clark. But the Juventus winger didn’t have to wait long for her goal, as she headed in from Girelli’s cross.

Cantore was treating this like a training game at times. Before the break, her acrobatic effort was kept out by Clark, but that was to be the number one’s finally act, as she picked up a knock after keeping the ball out.

On came Safia Middleton-Patel, but her first act was to pick the ball out of her net, as a minute before the interval, Italy added a fourth. It came from another corner, and this time it was Girelli who headed it home. Four set pieces, and four goals for the visitors.

Wales chances were pretty non-existent. Jones failed to turn home Ceri Holland’s cross when it was 1-0, but that was as good as it got for Wilkinson’s side. As far as a send off game was concerned, this had the potential to spiral into a shambolic one.

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A chance fell early on to Wales in the second half, as Holland’s whipped free kick into the box found the head of Josie Green, but Laura Giuliani sprung to her right to make the stop.

Cymru did restrict Italy a lot more in the second half, but going forward they offered nothing. Hughes was introduced to play up front with Cain, but against a resolute Italian defence, they were unable to find a way through.

But when you have a magician like Fishlock on the bench, anything is possible, and with eight minutes left to play, she pulled one back for Wales in magnificent fashion. Spotting substitute goalkeeper Francesca Durante off her line, Fishlock lobbed her from 35-yards out. Another memorable moment for one of the very best to do it.

That was to be the only bit of goalscoring magic Wales could produce, as they fell to a very disappointing defeat in their final game, for now, in League A of the Nations League.

Next up is the first match of Euro 2025. Wales will take on The Netherlands in Luzern on Saturday July 5^th. Kick off will be at 5pm.

Player of the Match: Ceri Holland

There weren’t many who starred tonight, but yet again, Holland was good. Often the outlet in the first half, the Liverpool midfielder did get fans on the edge of their seats, and she will certainly be the danger player for Wales in Switzerland this summer.

Wales

Olivia Clark (Safia Middleton-Patel 45’), Josie Green (Esther Morgan 77’), Hayley Ladd, Gemma Evans, Ceri Holland, Angharad James ©, Alice Griffiths (Jess Fishlock 77’), Rachel Rowe (Lois Joel 77’), Hannah Cain, Carrie Jones (Elise Hughes 46’)

Unused subs: Soffia Kelly, Amy Richardson, Tianna Teisar, Kayleigh Barton, Charlie Estcourt, Ella Powell, Ffion Morgan

Goals: Jess Fishlock (82’)

Italy

Laura Giuliani (Francesca Durnate 77’), Martina Lenzini (Julie Piga 57’), Cecilia Salvai, Elena Linari, Angelica Soffia (Valentina Berhamaschi 46’), Arianna Caruso, Manuela Giugliano, Emma Severini, Elisabetta Oliviero, Cristiana Girelli © (Michela Cambiaghi 69’), Sofia Cantore (Valentina Giacinti 46’)

Unused subs: Rachele Baldi, Agnese Bonfantini, Martina Rosucci, Barbara Bonansea, Margherita Monnecchi, Eleonora Goldini, Eva Schatzer

Goals: Elena Linari (9’), Cristiana Girelli (21’, 45+5’), Sofia Cantore (41’)

Yellows: Angelica Soffia (35’), Elena Linari (62’)

(Featured Image: Ashley Crowden/FAW)